Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos

I was caught a little off guard when I began reading this book. I hadn't read anything by Matt before and I thought I was going to be reading a type of "how-to" book similar to another Christian/Zombie book out there.

After getting over the initial shock of how slightly off-center this book is, I couldn't put it down.

Matt Mikalatos has written an allegory using vampires, zombies and werewolves. He places himself inside the story as if it actually took place in his neighborhood.

He has zombies chasing him but instead of eating him, they want to put ear buds in your ear so you will hear a podcast. He has a werewolf for a neighbor who is desperate for salvation. You'll be introduced to an old high school friend who happens to be a vampire along with a mad scientist and android with a not-so-secret lair.

It feels like reading a British story full of the classic monsters.

Do you enjoy the fictional work of C.S. Lewis? Do you enjoy late-night viewings of B-movie monsters? Night of the Living Dead Christian is exactly what you need. You will laugh out loud at the hilarious idiocy of the characters then be challenged as they explore a life as a Christian.




This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.


I Review For The Tyndale Blog Network

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Where Has Oprah Taken Us? by Stephen Mansfield

I've enjoyed two of Mansfield's books. I figured this would be similar. Mansfield sends us on a journey through Oprah's life to help us understand how she came to embrace the faith she currently holds.


The first two chapters cover Oprah's early years: growing up in a Christian background and then rebelling into a life of no restraint.

Chapter three delivers a history lesson of the country that Oprah grew up in. We learn about the many spiritual gurus and "Beat" poets who may have had some influence on the budding journalist/talk show host. Near the end of this chapter, however, Mansfield diverts the book from Oprah and onto the Clintons. Somehow their experiences with spirituality personified the age Oprah came into her own. I wasn't quite sure why he chose to dish on this President and not President and Nancy Regan (who would have had a teeny bit influence). Remember the so-called spiritual stuff she did?

Chapter four explains the background of those who Oprah had on her show and help shape her belief system. I found this chapter to be hard to plow through.

The final chapter spells out the pillars of Oprah's faith and a number of other points of interest surrounding her ego-driven, self-fulfilled thought-created religion.

After each chapter, Mansfield adds his own insight as to why Oprah is mistaken and how her faith is the personification of our current craze for spirituality.

There is a lot of information packed into this book. I was a little disappointed that Mansfield stated in the introduction that he didn't want to write a "gossip" book but then proceeded to write about the many men Oprah had in her bed and the "craziness" of Hillary Clinton. While some may deem this information necessary for a better understanding of Oprah, I found it to be without merit. I really don't think that information was needed to guide me to an appropriate realization of "Church Oprah".

Evangelical Christians will probably pour the praises onto this book.



This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.

I review for BookSneeze®

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Erasing Hell by Francis Chan and Preston Sprinkle

I think Francis Chan and Rob Bell need to hold a debate. These are two elegant speakers with big ideas and have celebrity status among the religious (or anti-religious. Depending on who you talk to).

Erasing Hell is Chan's contribution to the hell-and-the-eternal-destination-of-man discussion. He takes issue with Bell's views and desires to explore Scripture for the actual answers instead of using human emotion.

Chan begins by stating that he'd like everyone to go to heaven. (Who wouldn't) Then he wrestles with the evidence he finds as he explores the Bible.

Chan believes that people will go to hell. He then goes an inch further and states that it might be biblical to believe in annihilation (the idea that people won't suffer in hell forever but cease to exist).

The book is designed to look like something Rob Bell would produce. These two guys really need to hold a national debate. I think it would be very rewarding for everyone. The way they express ideas and challenges are exactly what churchgoers need.

If only other Christians could be as graceful as these men. We have enough spite.



This book was provided for review, at no cost, by David C. Cook Publishing.

The Omen Machine by Terry Goodkind

It's fun to return to characters you've spent so much time reading about. Goodkind gives us another book from his Sword of Truth world. The Omen Machine finds Richard and Kahlan ruling their new empire and a new menace gaining strength.


Of course this is going to be the first book of a new series for Goodkind. It seems he can't, or doesn't wish to, write about anything else. The book written before this one (The Law of Nines) was even connected to the Richard/Kahlan story.

While the land enjoys peace, there is unrest throughout the palace. People are gathered to enjoy a wedding when prophecies begin popping up where they shouldn't. People die and others assume they are fulfilling prophecy. When Richard and his gang won't reveal every detail of prophecy they discover, the royals get upset and start to think he isn't worthy to lead them.

Enter the new foe. Hannis Arc who lives in the Dark Lands and doesn't quite make the splash in this story. I'm assuming he's saving up for the next book.

You don't need to have read the entire Sword of Truth series before reading this book but it will help fill in some of the gaps.

This was a fun read. It was typical Goodkind - filled with gruesome violence and characters spending page after page repeating the same idea. Although, I thought the vain repetition was edited down some compared to other Goodkind books.

The fun characters return and if you enjoyed the last three Sword of Truth books, you'll probably enjoy The Omen Machine.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Legion

I can't believe this movie was made. Not only was this a huge mistake on all counts, but they actually tagged some big-name actors: Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, Adrianne Palicki, Charles Dutton, Kevin Durand, and Dennis Quaid.

Was this only a paycheck for these actors? Did they actually believe this was going to be a blockbuster?

God is angry with humanity. He has decided to wipe them out. The Archangel Michael has his doubts that God is doing the right thing so he rebels and comes to earth, cuts off his wings and begins his search for humanity's last hope. This hope is found in an unborn child.

Michael loads up on guns and ammunition (because we all know that's how you kill angels) and finds a group of survivors in a rundown diner. The unborn baby is there and it's up to these humans and Michael to destroy the people who have been possessed by God's angels.

Gabriel joins the fight at the end with an angelic smackdown between the two archangels.

The movie ends with the words, You did what God wanted, I did what God needed.

Sad? Yes. Pathetic? Absolutely. Everything about this movie is trash. Nevermind the supernatural/theological commentary - the acting, script and directing - everything was bad.

Monday, September 12, 2011

The Irresistible Church by Wayne Cordeiro

I was very skeptical when I first opened this book. I've been burned by pastor/authors before. Cordeiro's claim that there are 12 traits which will create an Irresistible Church had me sighing loudly as I opened the book.

However, once I began reading, I couldn't put the book down. Cordeiro has pastored churches all over Hawaii. I really don't like reading about a pastor's church being "one of the fastest growing" in the country so I will omit those blurbs...(wink wink)

It's the message inside that is worth it. Not the publisher's attempt to tout Cordeiro as the next best thing to happen to pastors or their churches.

The 12 traits are a church that:

Hungers for the presence of God
Remembers who she is
Lives heart first
Practices gratefulness
Promotes healthy relationships
Is always learning
Promotes spiritual self-feeding
Connects everything to a soul
Chooses to love
Takes risks
Humbles itself
Has a plan

Most of these traits we've heard before. It may have been the season that I'm currently in or just the way Cordeiro presents his thoughts, but I consumed this book with a feverish hunger.

Every church should desire these traits. I especially enjoyed the ideas behind healthy relationships and spiritual self-feeding. Every pastor hates to hear the words, "I'm just not being fed here". Those words will raise any pastor's blood pressure through the roof.

Cordeiro reminds us why the church is so important.
Irresistible Church, The: 12 Traits of a Church Heaven Applauds

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Bethany House Publishing

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit it) by Brian Jones

Brian Jones is a pastor who, for the first 4 years of his ministry, did not believe in hell.

Following a decision to rush into a burning apartment complex and rescuing some of the tenants, he felt an urge to reconsider. At a monastery, he fell on his face and made the decision that hell was for real and it was his job to rescue as many people from ending up there as possible.

Hell is Real is Brian's addition to this global discussion on hell. He never mentions Rob Bell. In fact, the pastor he aims for is "The Smiling Pastor".

This book is divided into 4 parts:

If Hell is Real ... Why Don't I Believe It?
If Hell is Real ... Why Am I Afraid To Admit It?
If Hell is Real ... How Can I Get Serious About It?
If Hell is Real ... How Can I Help Others Avoid It?

His stance is one that caused me some concern. He tells the story of how his church wanted to raise money to plant a church in New York. The week before they were to collect the special offering, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. The church decided to take up two offerings but Pastor Brian urged his congregation that if they could only give to one, they should give to the possible church plant in New York instead of those in New Orleans.

He goes out of his way defining his biblical views of an angry God seeking justice and claiming that our top priority is to tell others about hell. He says Christianity was only set up to rescue people from hell. Then he steps back from the fundamentalist, crazy talk to say the only way to talk to someone about hell is to first take the time to be their friends.

Brian has his feet in both camps and it comes across as a little iffy.

I admire his passion for wanting to "save" as many people as he can. He includes a website where pastors can go to access sermon outlines and ideas for hell topics.

I'm just not prepared to jump into Brian's bandwagon.

Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by David C. Cook Publishing.

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Bone House by Stephen Lawhead

One piece of the map has been found. Kit Livingston continues the search for the remaining pieces of The Skin Map.

In The Bone House, Stephen Lawhead picks up where he left off with book 1. Kit has been separated from his girlfriend and yet her actions, in a different dimension, are benefiting him.

Lawhead writes thick books. You have to take your time with the story. These aren't popcorn novels that can be skimmed through. You're wrestling with time/dimensional/space travel in this series. Your brain may need a break every chapter or so.

You have the notorious bad guys who are always a step ahead or on the heels of Kit. Some twists and surprises await you. But shouldn't that be a given considering the plot?

Lawhead is a great series writer. He is able to build upon the previous novel and spread things out and deepen the characters.

The Bone House is Lawhead's Empire Strikes Back.

You *must* read The Skin Map before reading The Bone House. This is absolutely imperative.
The Bone House (Bright Empires)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
I review for BookSneeze®

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins

Jerry Jenkins picks up right where he left off. Remember the first book, The Brotherhood? Well it'll feel like you never left with the second book, The Betrayal.

You'll follow the angst of Detective Boone Drake. He has just shut down the biggest crime syndicate and now someone is out to end Drake's life.

The twist is the job seems to be from inside the Police Department. How could anyone inside want to kill Drake?

You'll attempt to solve this mystery before it all ends for him. (His life and his reputation)

This is token Jenkins writing. It will read very quickly. Jenkins doesn't try to overwhelm you with deep, meaty writing. As with the Left Behind books, I consider this series to be "popcorn reading". It may take you a day or two to read this book.

However, those who can't stand his writing, they'll hate this book so they shouldn't even attempt to read this.

As with the first book in the series, Jenkins does try to explore some aspect of the human condition in The Betrayal. This seems to be the kind of book for those who attend the super-mega conservative churches.

The Betrayal (Precinct 11)

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by Tyndale Publishing.

I Review For The Tyndale Blog Network

Monday, September 5, 2011

Monsters

This movie has to be included in any top-10 worst movies ever made.

Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon reentry over Central America. Soon after, new life forms began to appear and half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain the creatures... Our story begins when a U.S. journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through the infected zone to the safety of the U.S. border.

I was thinking I was going to be treated to another low-budget film similar to District 9 - however this movie was anything but monsters.

I can't even tell you the character's names. The entire movie consists of two characters walking around and talking about nothing.

They try to salvage the movie by putting the ending as the beginning. You'll have to connect a couple dots but it's there.

I was so disappointed in this movie. It's not even worth a free loan from the library.
Monsters

Raised Right by Alisa Harris

From the title of this book, you'll know it's about a person who transitioned her politics from hardcore Republican to left-leaning moderate Democrat.

Alisa Harris was raised to believe that Republicans were God's chosen leaders. How can Democrats believe in God, right? She would protest at abortion clinics and go door-to-door for any Republican politician running for any office. All this as a very young girl.

Raised Right tells of her past and how she came to be a Feminist who voted for President Obama and came to understand that many Republicans don't have the best godly intentions.

Harris touches on many topics from abortion, war, economics and the virtue of belonging to a party simply because your parents do.

I wasn't able to connect with her writing as much as I did with Donald Miller's earlier books. They seem to be of the same generation who see politics as something more complex than sound bites.

I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt with some of the clunky writing until I read that she had become a feminist. I actually felt sorry for her when I read that she was raised in a church that believed women were going against God if they went to college. (What?!?) But I have been skewed in my views of feminists and I found it difficult to read the rest of her book without the tinted glasses.

Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics

This book was provided for review, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing.